German family of medallists and wax-modellers. Valentin Maler (b Jihlava, [Ger. Iglau], Bohemia, (now in Czech Republic), 1540; d Nuremberg, 1 Sept 1603) began his career in Joachimsthal as a coin engraver. In 1569 he settled in Nuremberg, where he worked until 1603, primarily as a portrait medallist, visiting many royal and episcopal courts in Prague, Munich, Dresden, W?rzburg, Breslau (now Wroclaw, Poland), Stuttgart and Bamberg. His medals were made both by striking and by casting from a model. The struck medals were often used as royal presentation pieces; several of them were struck at the Court of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II, while some were struck later at the Court of his successor Emperor Rudolf II. Their subjects included Maximilian II with an Eagle (several versions); Emperor Rudolf II (several versions, 1576 and 1589; Vienna, Ksthist. Mus.); and Emperor Rudolf II and his Ancestors (1590 and 1594). Several of the struck medals bore inscriptions. As a precaution against forgery, Maler obtained an Imperial privilege.
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